Commander Saveron: Out of the frying pan
Sarah Eccles
(( Battle Bridge, Deck 8, USS Constitution-B ))
The situation was tense. They were damaged, but the remaining pirate vessel was even more so, and had apparently been abandoned by it’s commander. Now it appeared that the ‘dust’ weapon that the saucer section had deployed was eating away at the vessel.
Tense negotiations were underway to rescue the remaining pirates; but would their pride let them accept the Federation’s help? It wasn’t looking good, even with some of them playing the reverse psychology card in the hope that the pirates would opt for rescue out of spite and defiance. What else did they have left?
Rajel: =/\= As you can see we are backing away. You may want to die, but my crew has a strong will and instinct to survive. Within the next 30 seconds we will be out of transporter range. This is your last chance. Contact us before it is too late. Constitution out. =/\=
And the channel closed.
Foster: Before you ask, yes we will just barely make it to safe range before that thing blows. The saucer section sustained less damage and has full mobility. They’ll make it unless they linger.
Saveron: Acceptable. We are not in a favourable position to offer transporter functionality at this time. ::They were too damaged and most of the transporters were in the saucer section.:: It is preferable that we preserve our structural integrity and personnel.
Behind him Jacob Horne put in a call to Sirn, discussing how best to manage the burden on the transporters. In a difficult and dangerous situation, the crew were operating like the well-knit team that they were.
Lystra: Sir, they’ve got about a minute left before that ship goes up in a warp breach.
Saveron: Noted. Do what we can to prepare the Stardrive for impact.
Which probably wasn’t a lot.
Horne: response
Foster: We’re still on tactical retreat, to the best of our ability.
Lystra: We should already be at a safe distance. But the Saucer section is moving slow enough to give them time to make a decision. I still advise we keep moving, our shields are still down and we definitely couldn’t take a hit from a breach.
Saveron: With our condition and the impending explosion, no proximal position is safe. But greater distance will reduce the impact.
Horne: response
It was a good question. They all wanted to rescue the pirates, because whatever they had done they were still people. But as a doctor and a counsellor Saveron knew that you couldn’t help someone who wouldn’t let you help them.
Foster: We can’t rescue them. We’re going to get rocked no matter what, but it will be the difference between the sort of rocked that gives everyone some bruises or the sort of rocked that rips another dozen hull breaches. I’m going to keep putting distance between us unless ordered otherwise.
Saveron: No orders to the contrary. Continue to do so.
He and Cade were of the same mind. Get them as far as possible from the blast, keep their people safe.
Horne: response
Their Tactical Officer’s station beeped and she looked at the incoming reports a moment.
Lystra: Updated damage reports coming in sir. ::She looked to Horne, letting him tell the bulk of things, not related to the tactical systems:: Using the deflector dish like we did burned out power conduits on four decks. Our starboard phaser array will be offline for an extended period. ::She took a breath:: Casualties as well. Two more dead, but it looks like that beaming Georgio, Mark and Barr to the hull breach was a good idea. Rescue efforts are well under way.
Foster: Good job, triage. ::He said quietly, proudly.::
Saveron added a silent nod to that sentiment. It wasn’t the last word. The question was what state they’d be in once the Theseus blew.
Horner: response
The tension grew as the saucer slowly drew backwards away from the dying ship. Everyone counted the seconds.
Suddenly the comms sprang to life.
Fuse: =/\= Theseus to Constitution. You win. Five souls ready for transport. =/\=
Five. Five was something. But it wasn’t everything. There were those choosing to stay behind. The mixture of relief and grief thrashed itself out behind mental walls as Saveron focused on what they could do; he didn’t have time for that.
Saveron: The Saucer is initiating transport. Continue our retreat at maximum safe impulse.
Five individuals wouldn’t tax the saucer’s systems as Horne and Sirn feared; alas that their preparations for retrieving more people were in vain.
Lystra: Thirty seconds until that ship blows. I suggest we get out of here at full impulse. I’m diverting all power from the weapon systems to the impulse engines. Cade, you’ve got everything we can spare from my end. ::She looked to Jacob::
Foster: Suggestion noted.
Saveron: Do what you can, Cade.
Horne: response
A series of beeps resounded from the tactical console as it made an auditory notation of the impending destruction of the Theseus.
Foster: Put the extra power towards hull integrity fields. That’s what’s hampering us now. We go as fast as we can without shaking the ship apart.
Lystra: Three..
Foster: Make everyone brace for impact. We’ll survive this, but it will rock us.
It was a good point. Cade had more combat experience than Saveron did, something the Vulcan did not begrudge his friend.
He tapped a button on the arm of his chair and spoke as dispassionately as the computer might have.
Saveron: All hands, brace for impact.
Horne: response
Lystra: Two…
Foster: Saucer section is out of range. She’s past us now, all we have to do is hold on…
Saveron: Brace. oO And hope. Oo
Horne: response
Lystra: One!
The viewscreen dimmed as the ship exploded.
There was a tremendous blinding flare that spread across the darkened viewscreen and then a subsequent rolling shockwave.
The lights on the bridge died as all power went to the hull to keep the drive together as it was pushed back. It was like rolling with a punch, it hurt in a superficial manner.
The inertial dampeners whined, struggling to keep up and anyone not bracing would be tossed about the ship like a ragdoll.
It felt like forever. It was seconds. Saveron had never felt anything like it on a ship before.
And then it stopped.
Foster: Is everyone alright?
That was Cade’s voice, being the doctor. And the voices came back from across the bridge.
Saveron: Affirmative.
Horne: ?
Straightening up, the Vulcan First Officer turned to look around the battle bridge. He’d only heard three other voices.
Lystra: Still getting reports from across the Stardrive. ::He paused and quickly read through what she saw::
Foster: Well, the good news is, we have no new hull breaches. The bad news is… we are going nowhere fast.
Lystra: Tactical systems still offline. ::her console updated and she scowled:: More casualties, reported sir. Thirty two wounded. And there’s a plasma fire in Cybernetics lab two on deck twelve. And Shuttle bay three is reporting that one of the type eleven shuttles suffered some minor structural damage after being dislodged from her birth. ::She quickly looked up and added:: Damage control and medical teams are already on it.
Saveron: Then they will be managed. Given our condition that constitutes minimal additional damage, and is acceptable.
Horne: ?
Foster: Time to put out a distress call to Starfleet and lick our wounds I would say.
Lystra: Sir, I suggest we wait on the distress call for a moment.
Saveron: Your logic?
Horne: ?
Lystra: Because, we have to ask why were the Theseus and Minotaur here in the first place. They aren’t the scientific sort.
The Vulcan followed her train of thought.
Saveron: Then, given our knowledge of the region, there is only one other logical focus for their attention. The Dilithium mine.
Horne/Foster: ?
Lystra: Our away team could be in danger. I advise we send as many security teams as we can spare and have shuttles for, to the mine. At best, there’s nothing wrong and they just waste a trip and give the miners a slight panic attack.
Saveron: There are only three entry points for the mine, one of which will be occupied by our earlier shuttle.
He’d read the full dossier of briefing material and retained all the details, because that was what Vulcans did.
Horne/Foster: ?
Lystra: It would explain why the mine has become inefficient recently. But if there are pirates there, anyone we send should do so cautiously. Last thing we’d want is a massacre or hostage situation.
Saveron: Correct. We may already have a hostage situation, and not know it.
The Vulcan rose to his feet, scanning around the rather worse for wear room that was the battle bridge, looking for forms in the midst of the low lighting and smoke drifting in the air, before pausing near the Operations console and brushing the tips of his fingers over a pale cheek smeared with blood. There was a spark of life there, but no answer.
Saveron: Cade, Ensign Poe is unconscious.
Horne/Foster: ?
The conversation was interrupted by the bleep of the communications system. Saveron pushed the flashing key on the console himself, before carefully lifting Poe’s slumped from down and onto the floor for Cade to look at.
Saveron: =/\= Saveron here, go ahead. =/\=
He spoke from his crouched position before straightening up and coming into view of the screen.
Rajel: =/\= How is the Stardrive holding up? Is anyone hurt? =/\=
Saveron: =/\= Affirmative. At current count we have thirty-two wounded and five dead. We are without impulse power or shields. Life support systems are on minimal necessary, a number of crew are unaccounted for, and one of the Type 11 shuttles is damaged. And a Cybernetics lab is on fire. =/\=
All of which was said completely deadpan. The only sign that the Vulcan had nearly lost the Stardrive and it’s crew to Orionese pirates was the smoke hanging in the air and the dark lock of hair which had slipped from his usual strict comb-back and was hanging in his eyes. Unthinkingly he pushed it out of the way.
Saveron: =/\= However all situations are being managed. What is the status of the Saucer section? =/\=
Rajel: =/\= From the looks we are okay, shaken but unhurt. At least on the bridge. We have a bunch of reports from all over the section, but are working on it. =/\=
Saveron: =/\= Then neither half is in condition for further confrontation, though one would hazard that the saucer has fared the better of the two, which is preferable given the number of personnel. Were we in a position to do so, I would recommend primary personnel stand down and rest. =/\=
But they weren’t in a position to do so.
Rajel: =/\= I'll take you up on that later, but now I think we have to get our people back. Do we see it correctly that your shields are down? =/\=
Saveron: =/\= Affirmative. =/\=
She looked off screen for a moment, and now that they had survived the battle Saveron’s thoughts turned to the team they had sent to the mine. And had not heard from.
Rajel: =/\= Sirn, Jacob, is it possible to expand our shields to cover the starboard section as well so we can move through the nebula to the mine and after that to the station? =/\=
Any: =/\= response =/\=
Saveron: =/\= Engineering is working on restoring our shields and engines, but it will take time. If we were to re-join the Stardrive and Saucer sections, we could utilise the Saucer’s shields and impulse engines. =/\=
Rajel: =/\= I don't think the computer is able to do an automatic joining right now and manual takes time, we have people in a mine packed with pirates. I'd rather not have to wait. =/\=
Any: =/\= response =/\=
Saveron: =/\= I concur. Additionally, given that the nebula blocks sensors and communications, the mine’s powerful communications relay is our best option for contacting Starfleet regarding our situation. =/\=
They were far from home, without warp engines. If they didn’t get a tow it was going to be a long walk home.
Rajel: =/\= Response =/\=
Any: =/\= response =/\=
Saveron: =/\= Understood. I will initiate preparations here and we will meet you at the mine. =/\=
Rajel: =/\= Response =/\=
Any: =/\= response =/\=
The viewscreen went dim, but in the last of it’s light Saveron caught sight of the second person he’d been looking for before the call came in. Long legs closed the distance and he knelt at her side. Again, the lightest brush of her cheek, the sense of a mind unresponsive. He didn’t need to feel for a pulse.
Saveron: Commander Mason is down as well.
That left just the four of them on the bridge.
Foster/Horne/Lystra: ?
The Vulcan rose to his feet.
Saveron: Our next target is clear; the Dilithium Mine.
Foster/Horne/Lystra: ?
The Vulcan permitted himself the luxury of a deep breath through his nose as he gathered his thoughts.
Saveron: Cade, how are Poe and Mason?
Hopefully there was a lower proportion of casualties elsewhere.
Foster: ?
Saveron: Once they are stabilised, please acquire a field medical kit. You will be our medic.
Foster: ?
Saveron: Jacob, confer with the Chief Engineer to organise repairs, and order the shuttles prepped for departure. We will use the shuttles to reach the mine; auxiliary crew can bring the Stardrive when her impulse engines are repaired. And obtain a field engineer’s kit.
Horne: ?
Again that slow, Vulcan nod of confirmation.
Saveron: The Chief can manage the repairs. We may have need of your expertise inside the mine.
Horne: ?
He turned then to their Tactical Officer.
Saveron: Lystra, I require parties of Security Personnel to prepare to transfer to the mine and meet us in Shuttle Bay 2. Leave sufficient to defend the Stardrive if necessary, but we need as many as possible.
Better to have overwhelming numbers.
Lystra: ?
Saveron: Once you have done so, accompany me to the armory.
Lystra: ?
Saveron: Cade, Jacob, I will meet you in the shuttle bay.
Foster/Horne/Lystra: ?
He gave them the ta’al solemnly, then activated the emergency release on the Battle Bridge doors and shoved them open with apparently minimal effort, trusting that Lystra would follow.
TAG
First Officer
USS Constitution-B
R238802S10